What type of machine in the forum is your primary interest?

You may make more than one selection. But ticking all would defeat the purpose. Try and not pick more than 2 options.

Thanks

EDM, EDM, EDM, EDM........

Klox

I'd like to explore adding the 4th and 5th axis to my 3 axis router. And also do a foam cutter -- hotwire to dual x and y.
Cheers - Jim

I included others because when I get 48hour days I would like to make a CNC grinder and ditto gear hobbing machine. But I'm afraid before I get there the Chinese will sell them for $100 a piece. They probably already are trying to figure out how they can make them with casting sand in vital components.

ONce I finish my mill I think I will Bodge in a lathe underneath it and have a two in one type design. After that a vacuum forming table I think, or perhapps a five axis with tool changer........

Esjaavik, you can emigrate to Jupitor, for a 40 hour day! LOL!

Klox :D

I had to vote others because I use a 4 axis and hope to build a 5 axis sometime later this yr. Of course i woanted to do that later last yr and the yr before and the....:D . Well You get the pic.

Mike

Built a 4th. Now I wanna 5th. Geee I guess I want it all.

Donny

I designing a router

Does this only have to do with building one or this also has to do with using and programming them?

that opens more doors.

Does this only have to do with building one or this also has to do with using and programming them?

that opens more doors.

Good question. I have a bias by thinking that most who visit this site are planning to build their own.
I guess there are a lot of visitors here who are simply users and not necessarily builders.
When I posed the question I was thinking about builders only, but lets also include users in this question. Maybe we should have another poll asking " Do you visit CNC zone from a CNC users perspective or a CNC builders perspective"

I have noticed that while this poll has had less reads than other polls, it has had more votes than other polls. A higher participation rate. I guess that most voters seem to understand from what angle the question is posed.

Do not forget the manual mill and lathe.I am also building a small CNC router.

Wire EDM

I came to the zone because I’m building a 4 X 8 router. Just spending time here keeps putting distractions in front of me. I really could use a good digitizing arm, and on, and on, and on, ………………. :D

Gary

I'm really interested in the Taig 2019, CNC 4-axis later. I live in North MD and would like to know if there are any in my neighborhood to see...

Well i would have to say all of the above sir.

I am going to try to convert my raytech shaw faceting machine to a cnc faceting machine, who knows it might even work.

Rotary engraver/mill.

...

:cool: For now, 3-axis mill, and lathe to work in stanless and other hard metals for modern jewelry design.

WOW Kenton, how could you wear that as jewelery?
Is that a Hells angels knuckle duster?

Should have explained better. This pendant started out as two stainless manifolds (for lab use). I added some crystal beads, hematite and sterling. I just purchased a cylindrical chain that fits well and will epoxy right into each inlet tube. This early photo doesn't show its mirror finish. I'll send you another pic.
-kpf

My current project is a rotary mill. It is more like a lathe with controllable Z axis.
Y, Z and A axes only. Gantry style, but there is no X axis.

This site does seem to be to be primarily used by builders. As I have only been using CNC's for five years I cant imagine the degree of difficulty involved in building a machine. But who knows twenty years down the road. Oh well back to the books......... (wedge) By the way as for the vote, So far I ve just been using Mills and lathes(manual and CNC.)

Just got my Taig CNC read running and started cutting TODAY! :yippee! Had my manual 7X10 harbor freight for a while.

Headed to build a couple of different CNC routers in the very near future!

This site does seem to be to be primarily used by builders. As I have only been using CNC's for five years I cant imagine the degree of difficulty involved in building a machine. But who knows twenty years down the road. Oh well back to the books
I think you will find that it is you who have the advantage. Many ( I would guess most) do not know how to use a CNC machine b4 they have built one. Truely it is very easy. Its just a matter of buying ready made components like circuit boards,motors, software, etc and putting them all together.

Swiss machines. For anything under ø1.25", they can't be beat!
I prefer Citizens, but Star and Tsugami have good equipment, too.

Just got my Taig CNC running and started cutting TODAY! :yippee! Had my manual 7X10 harbor freight for a while.

Headed to build a couple of different CNC routers in the very near future!

Well a little change in tack for me since I bought a Bridgeport R2E3 Series II that needs retrofitting. Schelded to pick it up on Friday and transport it home from LA. Also picked a couple other items up from the LA area, like a 36X48 surface plate and a 6X18 Brown and Sharpe surface grinder. Currently looking at a 10" South Bend lathe locally or a nice old HARDINGE.

I think I have gone off the deep end! :D

I think you will find that it is you who have the advantage. Many ( I would guess most) do not know how to use a CNC machine b4 they have built one. Truely it is very easy. Its just a matter of buying ready made components like circuit boards,motors, software, etc and putting them all together.
In my case, that fits perfectly, and therefore the reason I did build one was to learn from it. I have been doing woodworking as a hobby for many years, so it was only natural to build the wood router.
I can read about stuff all day long, unless I have something to actually put my hands on I'll never retain what I read. Putting the router together was a lesson learned in itself. But really my interest is in the programming of whatever will take the code and produce what I designed.

My favorite machines are the ones i build myself of course. Boring and milling machines for portable or application specific work is my favorite but the fun is in building them once thats done hell someone else can run em. Although i just purchased my first CNC mill for our shop a Haas VF-OE 20 x 20 x 30 with a fourth axis and that will have to be my favorite until i learn how to use it Ha Ha. I tend to have a short attention span i guess and get tired of doing something once the process is the best it can be. Gotta keep learning

I voted "Other"

I love Citizen.... Swiss machines..

as they say in the South US..."one that'll geter done..."

I was the proud director of two Bavs....i have parted ways professionally with this company, which is fine as I had about mastered those machines. As chevelle said..."wonder what;s next" :p

Other is ~ Filament winding

For http://www.unicopter.com

Hey Rotor Router, that SynchroLite on your web site is a cool idea. I wonder why they dont make them?

Hi ynneb,

The primary helicopter component is the blade. The custom filament winder is required to produce strong light blades.

Once the blades are OK, the helicopter should (hopefully) not be far behind.

CNC mill and lathe for me.
Routers seem very popular, but i dont see them as useful as a mill.

Ditto that phantomcow2. "you can turn wood with a metal lathe, you can't turn metal with a wood lathe" ;)


Tiger

2 axis bridgeport, and CNC routers

Currently getting a Comet model 3KV up running. I am in the process of building a rotory 3 PH converter then will work on cncing the mill. lots to learn.

ESjaavik I was re-reading all the replies to this thread today. I came across your reply of 060604 where you mentioned gear hobbing. Having been involved in just such a project, I am interested in what ever happened with your idea. Ours was a success ending up with 8 simultaneous axis for gear cutting plus others for workpiece loading / unloading etc. We ended up building 5 machines in 3 sizes. This started out as a one-off DIY and ended up as a gear manufacturing company. That company was sold and now we are looking at different unusual CNC applications. Other peoples problems can become your next project. Keep on thinking good thoughts.

What type of machine in the forum is your primary interest?

You may make more than one selection. But ticking all would defeat the purpose. Try and not pick more than 2 options.

Thanks

I'm not too sure if anyone else likes these or if there is a forum here for Multi-tasking Lathes. Of course with a true Y axis and lots of Live tooling options. I always enjoy a machine that spits out parts complete with one setup and program.
:cheers:

Are you talking X,Z&Y or are we talking like a Mazak Lather like the intrgrix that is like 7 to 8 axis.
I have alott of customer for the fist and few on the 2scd.

Are you talking X,Z&Y or are we talking like a Mazak Lather like the intrgrix that is like 7 to 8 axis.
I have alott of customer for the fist and few on the 2scd.

Tsugami Swiss Screw Machines. Star Swiss have 4-23 axies. www.starcnc.com. These machines are high volume monsters. Mazak could never compare in accuracy, speed, or quality. The are lathes, but able to do accurate machining. All turning, milling, cross spot,drill,and tap on the sides of a round part, and with a sub-spindle all parts come out complete. They will even make square parts with pockets on every side and face. Here is the catch, the largest machine I know of only takes a bar (round) 1-1/8 inches, but 24 feet long, with an automatic reload. 25 bars fit in the magazine so this bad boy makes $$$$$$$ 24/7 365 days. $$$$$$$$$$$$ Holding tolerances of .0001 on all 4-23 axis. It's something like a Mazak Intrgrex only higher quality and accuracy. Swiss configuration allows you to turn a shaft .01 in diameter 3 inches long with a minimal taper of less than .0001 . Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :cool:

Pics are to large to post. Here are some that will fit.

I currently have a Taig 2019CR mill, and a Sherline lathe w/ 17" bed, both CNC.
I also am building a CNC router.

Cheers
PiperTom

Examples of basic parts made on a swiss type screw machine.

Examples of basic parts made on a swiss type screw machine.

I think the Luddites of the world should unite and ban Swiss Screw Machines. Think of how much demand there would be for Operators, Set Up people, Programmers, Machinists, etc, if they did not exist. Some of it boring maybe but employed boring is better than unemployed boring.

I think the Luddites of the world should unite and ban Swiss Screw Machines. Think of how much demand there would be for Operators, Set Up people, Programmers, Machinists, etc, if they did not exist. Some of it boring maybe but employed boring is better than unemployed boring.


I hear that Geof and wish it were so just like you, but I didn't create or build the machines. Program, setup, and can watch up to 6 machines at once with a larger salary than your average First Class Machinist that is cranking handles and Programming. What would you rather do when the market stinks as far as what you are worth in the Corporate eye? Besides it also beats fighting with a machine to hold +-.0005 Least Material Condition, .0002 Perpendicularity to all Datums, and TIR within .0002 to all Datums. Sound like something that you want to deal with? When I find the print (omitting all legal information) I will post it here for you. These parts are a nightmare on a regular Lathe, but easy on a Swiss.

I couldn't find the one I was looking for but this one will do. I made it as big as I could for you so you could really see the whole Print.

:cheers:

My favorite machining is milling.I loved my toyoda fh45.I setup/program a miyano bnd,wasino lj1,haas sl20 lathes and a miyano msv,2 haas vf2 ss,haas ec300.I prefer mills to lathes anyday.I have only been setting up lathes for 4 months now.They are easier but not as fun as the mills.I do like the robot loader on the wasino and the robot arm on the miyano though.I run production at a rate of 120 pc's per hr.The bar fed miyano I only have to load bar once every hr and the wasino once/hr aswell.But I wish I had my toyoda at my new shop!

CNC Mills and CNC Lathes

Rick

Currently connecting the steppers for my 28" x 50" Mdf 3 axis router(dual steppers on x axis). Using Mach 3 demo to test.:cheers:

Already dreaming of that 6 axis all singin all dancing router plus 4 axis mill.:D

Liam

8' x 8' 3Axis wood router. Possiby add a 4th axis at a later date. Also an 8' x 8' plasma table. Neither are built yet so the fun part has yet to come! :D

the ones that are going to make me the most money the fastest LOL

Hey this is a nice one. Dual Turrets, Spindles, and a Live Milling Head. or is that a Part Transfer Arm? What ever, it's NICE!!!!:)

I grew up in a short run production shop, and spent years designing, building, setting up and running Traub and Davenport screw machines. My biggest joy came from having all 7 of my machines running (and makin' good parts) at the same time.

Guess my second favorite thing is automatic machining, whether it's cast iron or CNC.

First favorite thing is figuring out how to do things that the 'experts' say can't be done on a particular machine.

This is Productivity

http://www.remsales.com/pages_blocks_v3_exp/index.cgi?Key=156&Field=key_field&catg=tsugami_swiss_auto&Exact=Yes&this_sect=Swiss%20Automatics%20&thisroot=/machines/pages

Enjoy:)

Yeah those are pretty nice... but no swiss machine matches a Citizen...

Check out there top model.... M32-V

http://www.ncengineering.co.uk/multimedia.htm#

I grew up in a short run production shop, and spent years designing, building, setting up and running Traub and Davenport screw machines. My biggest joy came from having all 7 of my machines running (and makin' good parts) at the same time.

Guess my second favorite thing is automatic machining, whether it's cast iron or CNC.

First favorite thing is figuring out how to do things that the 'experts' say can't be done on a particular machine.

Wow 7 machines huh? There must be A LOT of work for CNC screw machines huh?

I always like the manual devliege boring mill bigger the better, made more $$$
Then I parked a little manual bridge port in the garage and was making more part time than full time of course part time was d*** near full time, but I was making c$h$i$p$s

All right, I have a good question for the truly knowlagable on this subject.
Has any of you heard of a Cinncinaty Hydrotel vertical mill?
I have my eye on one that has a 120" x 28" table with the same size travles.
I have used one of these monsters befor and and I really like them (lots of power and very smooth)
My question is why couldn't I convert this machine to a 3 or 4 axis cnc w/ an Anilam 3000 or 6000 controle on it ?
I understand that it would be alot of re-fitting but, the machine itself is in exelant condition as is and I just need it to operate more efficently than if I could even find someone with the right experience to run it as a manuale.
For anyone who is not familluer with the machine they are the REAL "heavy duty" machine. Incredibly massive and powerfull with a unique hydro-motor drive on all three axis. Very easy to get into trouble because of the lack of any feedback or resistance on the hand wheels and, the 50HP spindle motor that is right in front of your face.
But ohh what fun I had getting into a big cut with the 12" 32 incert face mill and scaring the Hell out of the new guys...
Any way I'm probably going to buy this one I'm looking at because it's in such good shape and so cheap (less than 1/2 a penny a pound for a machine I could park my car on!) and to be able to convert it to CNC would be icing on the cake!

By the way albor,
My hands down, alltime, favorite machine to run was the Devlieg 54K120 I was on 4 years ago. It had an Anilam Comando cnc conversion on it that alowed use of the manuale machine at the flip of a switch and back...
now that was productive. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I had that machine.

I have run bullards, g&l, lucas, shibura, kuraki, wotan, each one has it advantages, but I must say those devliegs are very rigid. Use to do a lot of spindle heads, lamb, excello, ann arbor machine, enmark, parker magestic. The mills had bendix nc controls and farrand scales, High precision, cmm would check location of .0002 dia bores @ true position of +/-.0001. Man I gotta go find me some steel to cut, LOL

Yeah those are pretty nice... but no swiss machine matches a Citizen...

Check out there top model.... M32-V

http://www.ncengineering.co.uk/multimedia.htm#

Ok that was Impressive. Threading 2 parts at the same time with one gang tool holder in 2 separate spindles. Got a little dizzy for a second watching those. I visit a shop that has Citizen's. Compared to Tsugami's Citizen's are very smooth running and quiet. Got to love that.

But when it comes to over all performance Star's are just as good.

Swiss are the best machines out there. They hold +-.0001 all day without an offset.

LOL I get a kick out of both these Demo's because both Citizen and Tsugami are running Brass.

....First favorite thing is figuring out how to do things that the 'experts' say can't be done on a particular machine.

You mean like machining the ball for a ball valve on a manual milling machine?

You mean like machining the ball for a ball valve on a manual milling machine?

Set up a dividing head, or rotary table, at 45deg upwards on the mill and stick your favorite ball valve material in it, the dia slightly bigger than the OD of the ball. Set up a boring bar backwards to turn an OD coresponding to the dia you need. While rotating the dividing head, feed the boring bar down over the shaft.....but not too far...

...That's how I do it..... :)

Set up a dividing head, or rotary table, at 45deg upwards on the mill and stick your favorite ball valve material in it, the dia slightly bigger than the OD of the ball. Set up a boring bar backwards to turn an OD coresponding to the dia you need. While rotating the dividing head, feed the boring bar down over the shaft.....but not too far...

...That's how I do it..... :)

How many people do you know that do it that way?

How many people do you know that do it that way?

.....me.... :)

was hinting that I'm open for a better way???

.....me.... :)

was hinting that I'm open for a better way???

WOW!!!!!!!:rolleyes: :eek:

I don't think there is one buddy.:)

Geof, is there a better way???????:)

WOW!!!!!!!:rolleyes: :eek:

I don't think there is one buddy.:)

Geof, is there a better way???????:)

Not manually in my experience. With a good CNC it is trivial.

I had meant to repond to fizzywhatsits post but forgot. I had never met anyone who had done balls that way. It is an interesting procedure because you are generating a spherical surface. Much the same as hobbing a gear; the shape has to come out correct because it has no choice. The essential point is that the axis of rotation for the sphere has to coincide perfectly with the axis of rotation for the tool. But this is easy....when the two axes coincide the cutter creates a crosshatch pattern on the sphere because it cuts all the way around. When the axes do not coincide the cut marks are all one way. Someday I might find the time to set up my ball generating machine and take some pictures.

You folks continue to amaze me. They dont teach you that in college!

You folks continue to amaze me. They dont teach you that in college!

I dont think they teach that anywere LOL!!!!

Home made wire edm or rebuilt wire edm equipment with a different controller such as "CamSoft".

Thank you for the question.

CNC router is my first machine I am getting (building)

I have used manual lathes and mills and I want to pick up some benchtop ones for use till I get my own house.

Not manually in my experience. With a good CNC it is trivial.

I had meant to repond to fizzywhatsits post but forgot. I had never met anyone who had done balls that way. It is an interesting procedure because you are generating a spherical surface. Much the same as hobbing a gear; the shape has to come out correct because it has no choice. The essential point is that the axis of rotation for the sphere has to coincide perfectly with the axis of rotation for the tool. But this is easy....when the two axes coincide the cutter creates a crosshatch pattern on the sphere because it cuts all the way around. When the axes do not coincide the cut marks are all one way. Someday I might find the time to set up my ball generating machine and take some pictures.

That would be Great. I'd love to see that. All the cool stuff of yesterday has been replaced by microchips. We young guys have been "RIPPED-OFF".

Glad that some of the old stuff has survived. I used to use a Fellows High Speed Shaper (Series 7A) from WWII 1940'ish. It held +-.00025 all day and made Gears and Pulleys. Straight, Helical, and Bevel Gears. I miss those old machines.:(

I think the haas sl-20 with full c-axis is an awesome machine. Parts that we had to do lathe work on and then do mill work, we can now do with the c-axis in one operation face, turn, bore, live tooling, then part off complete!
You can even take the mill program insert it into the lathe program do some editing- taking out a few codes and inserting your g17 and g112 to transfer it to the xy plane and you got a good program! The only problem that I have with the set up is I don't have a good post processor. I'm using Gibbs cam for c-axis lathe and a generic sl-20 post. I have to do a lot of editing, which doesn't bother me, but sometimes it spits out code that has bad moves in it. I'm 99 percent sure it is my post processor. Does anyone have one that they would let me try or point me in the right direction???

Routers coming pretty close I see.

I think the haas sl-20 with full c-axis is an awesome machine. Parts that we had to do lathe work on and then do mill work, we can now do with the c-axis in one operation face, turn, bore, live tooling, then part off complete!
You can even take the mill program insert it into the lathe program do some editing- taking out a few codes and inserting your g17 and g112 to transfer it to the xy plane and you got a good program! The only problem that I have with the set up is I don't have a good post processor. I'm using Gibbs cam for c-axis lathe and a generic sl-20 post. I have to do a lot of editing, which doesn't bother me, but sometimes it spits out code that has bad moves in it. I'm 99 percent sure it is my post processor. Does anyone have one that they would let me try or point me in the right direction???


Wait about 8 months and BCC V2007 might have a Really Nice Modual for Multi-Tasking Lathes. I kid you not when I say that the Post Processors are the EASIEST to Modify and EDIT.
:rainfro:

Anything happening with this thread lately????:rainfro:

I just voted on it.

Anyone else????

Desktop sized pcb engraver. There aren't many of these around. Most folk seem to go in for the big joe/jgro sized mdf jobbies. I'm currently looking at the design Tom has on instructables.com for an easy desktop cnc machine. Mostly be for pcb and milling plasticard for models. It'll be my first foray into cnc so it seems suitably small and cheap enough to dip my toe in and experiment.

A nice HMC with a multi pallet system.
It keeps you really busy all day. :D
I like that.